Anti-racist protesters mobilize against far-right rioters in the UK – Technologist

Wednesday, August 7, was shaping up to be a tense day in the UK, with police warning of around 100 far-right rallies, 10 days after the start of the racist, anti-Muslim riots that rocked the country. But with the exception of a few scuffles, tens of thousands of anti-racist demonstrators took to the streets of Liverpool, Newcastle, Bristol and London to protect mosques, migrant shelters and asylum law firms threatened by the far right.

In Walthamstow, a district of north-east London with one of the capital’s largest Muslim populations (of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin), police presence had been massive since Wednesday afternoon. Hoe Street, the main street, was packed, mainly with young men of Asian origin. Stores had almost all closed by 5 pm, with retailers fearing possible damage, while the Stand Up to Racism organization called for a rally to protect a law firm, Abv Solicitors, whose address had been circulated on far-right messaging platforms, just outside of the Walthamstow Central tube station.

A bit off the main street, the local mosque, Masjid-e-Umer, also closed its gates early. “We’ll open for evening prayers, depending on what happens,” said a mosque official who refused to give his name, but specified that worshippers were advised to “stay away” from the unrest and “pray.”

Back on Hoe Street, the tension was palpable as people awaited potential anti-migrant activists. A mother, in tears, holding her daughter by the hand, hurried home: “Be careful, stay away,” she warned.

“Nothing will happen, the fascists won’t dare show up, there are far too many people,” predicted an elderly local, leaning against a closed shopfront, who also refused to give his name. The riots of recent days broke out following false reports on social media that the person who killed three girls in a knife attack in Southport, northeast England, on July 29, was a Muslim migrant who had recently arrived on a “small boat.” The rumor was amplified online by British far-right figures such as Tommy Robinson (member of the racist English Defence League, EDL), although the police clarified that the person in custody for the girls’ murder was a Cardiff (Wales)-born teenager of Rwandan origin.

‘No fascists in our streets’

“This situation [the riots] is terrible, but it has nothing to do with immigration,” said Walthamstow resident Abdul Wahib, 66, who visited Hoe Street out of curiosity but chose to stay away after warnings from neighbors. He was disappointed that his hospital appointment was canceled “because of the possible riots,” he said. Many companies have advised their staff to work from home.

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